ZIP, ZERO, NADA, NOTHING

Illustrated is a classical koro by Kyoto potter Nishikawa Minoru. The form is simple and very functional perched on three feet while the surface is covered in a serene texture and an area of purple splashed across the face and repeated as a ring around the mouth as well. The well fit lid is carved of wood, fits rather snug and is pierced with a number of ginko leaf devices across the surface. Relying a bit on some Chinese ideal from times long past, Nishikawa created a number of works based on Jun-yao style and other Sung traditions but as you can see there is a distinctly Japanese flair crafted under the tutelage of Kusube Yaichi and Kano Mitsuo, that distinguishes this koro from works 4000km to the West.       

Like many pots coming from Japan, this one has its own unique story and one to my mind that clearly defies the odds and gave in completely to fate and the whims of the travel gods. When the package arrived, the top was compressed, looking a bit like an accordian and I could clearly hear the koro moving about freely within the box. Once opened what meet my gaze surprised if not amazed me, the koro was on its side with a piece of paper wedging the wood lid onto the pot without the benefit of any packing materials; zip, zero, nada, nothing. I removed the pot and carefully inspected it including under a 10X magnifier but the rugged, sturdy koro arrived completely intact despite a journey of over 10,000km. I have had poorly packed and even fragile pots arrive unscathed but not since the early days of eBay have I had a piece arrive sans any protection what-so-ever. To whomever packed it, didn't their parents tell them, always use protection?